Guyanese Authorities Struggle with Surge in Asylum Applications, Haitians Most Affected

By Guillaume REUGE

With 21,000 applications filed in 2024, the vast majority of them from Haitians, asylum requests have tripled in one year in French Guiana. The State, caught off guard, is struggling to register the applications within the legal time limits.

Roselaure, a 43-year-old Haitian who does not wish to give her last name, came to the Asylum Seekers Pre-Reception Service (Spada) in Cayenne to inquire about her application filed in April 2024.

Eighteen months later, her request has still not been receiv